Vol. 475 No. 1
50 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health arising from his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 52 on 30 January 1997, the steps, if any, he is taking in view of the long waiting lists for ear, nose and throat procedures at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12 and Temple Street Children's Hospital, Dublin 1. [3425/97]
Limerick East): I am happy to assure the Deputy that special measures to reduce waiting lists will continue in 1997. The provision of special funding to reduce waiting times continues to be a priority for the Government and £4 million has been provided in the budget to continue progress in this area. This provision will bring to £8 million the total funding available in 1997 to address the problem of long waiting times for elective surgery. The funding provided in 1997 brings to £58 million the total resources committed to the reduction of hospital waiting lists since the current initiative commenced in 1993.
Waiting times for selected paediatric conditions will be targeted in the 1997 Waiting List Initiative and my Department will be holding detailed discussions with the two children's hospitals mentioned by the Deputy over the coming weeks with a view to allocating funds.
